Begum Sacak
Ohio University

Begum Sacak
Ohio University Instructional Technology Department
begumsacak@gmail.com or bs137112@ohio.edu

I am currently a PhD Candidate in Instructional Technology Department and also working as an Instructional Designer in Curriculum and Technology Center at Ohio University. My interest in Instructional Technology began when I was doing her master’s degree and taking courses in Computer Assisted Language Learning. Once I started my PhD and taking courses, I learned mpre about theories on instructional design and learning along with emerging new technologies, games, and new literacy practices. My assistantship as an instructional designer also helps me understand the successful design mechanisms and different software we usually use in Instructional Design such as Adobe software, conferencing tools, as well as online reading and writing tools.

Throughout my PhD, I engaged in some research activities and I presented my papers “Social Gaming for Social Justice”, “Vocabulary Learning through The Sims Games”, “Participatory Reading in a Digital Age: Exploration of the New Reading Practices and Their Implications for Education”, and “Games in Language Learning: An Exploration of MMORPGs and English Language Learner’s Perceived Identity” in national conferences such as Meaningful Living and Learning in a Digital World, TESOL, and AECT. Along with my academic work, I was also involved in Instructional Technology Scholars Association as the Vice President. My responsibilities included helping the President with organizing events and also creating social media flyers and creating online events (such as Facebook events). In our organization, we had very successful meetings where we organized tech workshops, invited speakers from instructional technology companies, and faculty members. As a result of my work, I was awarded with “The Excellence in Service Award”. This achievement led me to strive for more and I would like to be an active member of AECT.